Biomaterial surface chemistry can have an important influence on biologic responses. Vascular graft chemistries may be modified in a number of ways. In this paper we report on a surface treatment using a gas discharge that deposits a thin coating onto the graft surface, significantly changing its surface chemistry, but without measurable change in porosity, compliance, or surface topography. Treatments with tetrafluoroethylene (TFE) gas yield dramatic improvements in both thrombo and emboli resistance of the graft, based on in vitro and ex vivo tests.

Hoffman, AS Professor of bioengineering and chemical engineering, associate professor of bioengineering and chemical engineering, M.D./Ph.D. candidate in bioengineering, research associate professor of nuclear engineering, and research professor of chemical engineering and bioengineering, University of Washington, Center for Bioengineering (FL-20), Seattle, WA

Ratner, BD Professor of bioengineering and chemical engineering, associate professor of bioengineering and chemical engineering, M.D./Ph.D. candidate in bioengineering, research associate professor of nuclear engineering, and research professor of chemical engineering and bioengineering, University of Washington, Center for Bioengineering (FL-20), Seattle, WA

Garfinkle, AM Professor of bioengineering and chemical engineering, associate professor of bioengineering and chemical engineering, M.D./Ph.D. candidate in bioengineering, research associate professor of nuclear engineering, and research professor of chemical engineering and bioengineering, University of Washington, Center for Bioengineering (FL-20), Seattle, WA

Reynolds, LO Professor of bioengineering and chemical engineering, associate professor of bioengineering and chemical engineering, M.D./Ph.D. candidate in bioengineering, research associate professor of nuclear engineering, and research professor of chemical engineering and bioengineering, University of Washington, Center for Bioengineering (FL-20), Seattle, WA

Horbett, TA Professor of bioengineering and chemical engineering, associate professor of bioengineering and chemical engineering, M.D./Ph.D. candidate in bioengineering, research associate professor of nuclear engineering, and research professor of chemical engineering and bioengineering, University of Washington, Center for Bioengineering (FL-20), Seattle, WA